Ajay: I liked Saif's character better
To make
Ajay Devgan talk is a challenge. The actor may be a powerhouse performer, but, unlike his vivacious wife Kajol, is not his best with interviews. Still,
Patcy N managed to get him to talk about
Omkara, and how he tackles Fridays. Excerpts: I play
Omkara. I head a gang of outlaws in Uttar Pradesh, and Saif Ali Khan and Vivek Oberoi are part of my team. The film is essentially about a conflict between Saif and myself. I think Vishal Bharadwaj is the finest director we have. He has done a great job adapting Othello and adding his brand of dark humour. He had done his homework, but was also open to everybody's idea. We did a workshop to get comfortable with the dialogues, as they had a different flavour. I had to practice a lot and get into the habit of speaking it. Apart from the language, everything else was easy. If you have director who is very clear about what he wants, it becomes easier. I am satisfied with the film. As an actor, I will always feel I could have done better, and this goes even for films like
The Legend Of Bhagat Singh, for which I won a National Award. The day you start feeling you have achieved it all, it's time for you to leave your job.
Indian audiences are ready for adaptations because emotions are the same in every film. Othello is a love story, which has been made here numerous times. Love and jealousy are universal emotions.
I liked my character, but liked Saif's Iago better because it has a lot of shades. Each of us had a different look. Saif had to cut his hair very short, which takes guts, while I had to grow a beard and moustache. There are many good scenes, but my favourite is a train sequence. Shooting was nice because we did it all at one stretch. It gets a lot easier when you shoot like that, because you stay in character throughout.
Irrespective of the box office report, this is one film I believe in. It is a class apart -- a film I am proud of, whether it works or not.
I put a lot of effort in the characters I play and try to be as versatile as possible. It is natural that your hard work is sometimes seen and appreciated, and sometimes isn't. That is part of the game. I don't select my movies thinking about working in a comedy or drama. If the role excites me, I am convinced. I can't say I like any particular genre. For me, it's part of my job. You have to put in an equal effort for everything.
There is no single film that has marked a turning point in my career. One movie can't decide anything. You have to work and learn from your mistakes.
I don't get Friday fever anymore, but one does get anxious about the audience response. Nobody rules the box office. The situation changes every Friday. Just because I have two movies this month doesn't mean I will rule the box office. Initially in your career, you think you need to do something to be a winner. Later, you realise there is no shortcut to success. You just have to do your work, and the audience will decide. Why tax yourself? It's why I have this laid-back attitude. There is always a burden when you are appreciated. My first film,
Phool Aur Kante, was a big hit. I was standing outside my office once, when Mahesh Bhatt was passing by. He told me, "Don't look so happy. Success is just the beginning of all problems." That is so true. Before success, we have nothing to lose. After it, we have to deal with responsibilities and expectations. There are also movies that are excellent, but don't do so well, like
Zakhm. If released today, it would have done well because of the multiplexes.
I have no problems with people remaking Indian classics. If you like a film and want to interpret it in your way, there is no harm. But you have to be clear that it is a remake. You can't copy something and then call it your own idea.
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